15.8.05

This is not a complete list of opera around the world, of course, only a selection of operas this season that interest me. For another perspective on the season, see Curtain goes up on 2005-2006 Opera season (International Herald Tribune, September 3).

Wagner, Ring Cycle (Das Rheingold, October 19 to November 1; Die Walküre, October 21 to November 5; last two operas in January)Conducted by Christoph Eschenbach and staged by Robert WilsonThéâtre du Châtelet (Paris)See the reviews compiled by Charles T. Downey (Ionarts, October 31)

Shostakovich, Lady Macbeth of the Mzensk DistrictOctober 19 to February 1 (8 performances)Hungarian State Opera (Budapest)

Tobias Picker, An American Tragedy, based on Dreiser's 1925 novel [WORLD PREMIERE]December 2 to 28Directed by Francesca Zambello, with Susan Graham, Nathan Gunn, Jennifer LarmoreMetropolitan OperaSee my comments on the Met broadcast of this opera and my catalogue of press reviews of the premiere